PRESUMPTION OF DEATH by Perri O'Shaughnessy
PRESUMPTION OF DEATH is another in the series of novels about attorney Nina Reilly. If you haven't been a reader of the earlier books by sister writing team, Pamela and Mary O'Shaughnessy - merged together as Perri O'Shaughnessy, then you might be a little adrift at the start of this book. But soon the characters form in your mind and it should be smooth sailing.
As the book starts, Nina has given up her practice at Lake Tahoe and has moved down to Carmel to live with her lover Paul, who is a private investigator. Nina's secretary Sandy is working in Washington, DC but her son Wish is working for Paul in Carmel.
One day Nina learns that Wish is missing after a brush fire in the mountains. It seems he and a friend had gone to the fire to take some pictures and try to catch the arsonist. A body has been discovered and Nina fears it might be Wish.
Later one of Nina's friends is charged with the death of the man who died at the scene of the fire. Drawn back into a case, Nina and Paul work together again to try to keep an innocent man from going to prison. This takes all of Nina's expertise and Paul's as well.
Aside from the inventive plots that Perri O'Shaughnessy creates, there is also the added dimension she gives to her characters. While Nina is working on her case she also has to worry about her and Paul's relationship. At times she feels he is chauvinistic and controlling while at other times she feels he is wonderfully protective.
She is also a single mother of a boy who is moving quickly into those treacherous teen-age years. Bob, her son, is supposed to be living with his father in Sweden for the summer. But something happens and he wants to come home. The problem is there is no "home" as Nina has moved in with Paul. Her desire to be a good mother and also keep her relationship with Paul going keeps her torn up inside. And then there is that pesky murder trial going on too.
If you like good mysteries, totally believable characters, and skilled writing - well what are you waiting for? Get this book and start reading. Better yet get all of the Nina Reilly books and start reading them from novel one to novel nine, which is this one. You can't believe the reading fun you are going to have.
You can presume that PRESUMPTION OF DEATH is going to be a good read. Perri O'Shaughnessy's track record speaks for itself and her talent hasn't lessened. It has only gotten better.
PRESUMPTION OF DEATH is published by Delacourte Press. It contains 390 pages and sells for $24.95.